H.M.S. Sandown fittings for scale model builders.
HMS Sandown was the lead ship of the Royal Navy’s Sandown-class minehunters, designed to locate and dispose of naval mines using specialised detection equipment and remotely operated underwater vehicles.
Built largely from non-magnetic materials to reduce their vulnerability to magnetic mines, the Sandown-class vessels were equipped with P.A.P. remotely controlled submersibles for mine detection and disposal.
One of the class’s distinctive features was its propulsion system, combining twin Voith Schneider units with a bow thruster. This arrangement provided the manoeuvrability required for precise minehunting operations. Variants operated by other navies used conventional propellers and shafts.
Sirmar Fittings offers a 1/48 scale HMS Sandown model hull and nine detailed fittings packs, covering armament, deck equipment, minehunting apparatus, navigation fittings, boats and other components.
Model specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel | HMS Sandown |
| Class | Sandown-class minehunter |
| Scale | 1/48 |
| Length | 43 inches (109 cm) |
| Beam | 8.75 inches (22 cm) |
| Hull material | White glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) |
| Hull code | SAN/HL |
| Fittings packs | 9 |
HMS Sandown model hull
The HMS Sandown hull is moulded in white GRP and includes the distinctive triangular rubbing strip and moulded anchor recesses found on the original vessel.
The hull provides a foundation for constructing a detailed model of this Royal Navy minehunter, with the option of incorporating a working propulsion system.
Hull code: SAN/HL
Archived price: £125.00
Voith Schneider propulsion option
The original Sirmar catalogue describes how the model hull can be adapted to operate with a Voith Schneider drive unit, previously available from Westbourne Models.
Although the full-size HMS Sandown used two Voith Schneider units, the model could be fitted with a single larger unit. The catalogue notes that the model performed well with this arrangement, requiring only a slight modification to the stern.
The available model drive unit was larger than a true-to-scale representation, making a single-unit installation a practical alternative.
Current availability and compatibility of Voith Schneider model propulsion units should be confirmed before construction.
HMS Sandown fittings packs
Fittings Pack 1 – SAN/1
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 30mm single machine gun | 1 |
| Anchor winch | 1 |
| Anchors | 2 |
| Bow bullring | 1 |
Archived price: £33.50
Fittings Pack 2 – SAN/2
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| P.A.P. submersibles | 2 |
| Decompression chamber | 1 |
| Life raft containers | 3 |
| Life rings | 4 |
Archived price: £23.49
Fittings Pack 3 – SAN/3
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Gemini boats | 2 |
| Outboard motors | 2 |
| Petrol stowage | 2 |
| Petrol stowage can sets | 2 |
Archived price: £28.72
Fittings Pack 4 – SAN/4
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sonar hatch | 1 |
| Bollards | 8 |
| Escape panels | 2 |
| Upper deck capstan | 1 |
| Stern capstan | 1 |
| Stern hatch | 1 |
| Stern roller fairleads | 2 |
| 30mm R/U lockers | 2 |
| Hyab crane | 1 |
Archived price: £29.41
Fittings Pack 5 – SAN/5
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vent set for fore and forecastle deck | 1 |
| Upper deck locker set | 1 |
| Cordage reel set | 1 |
| Bulkhead vent set | 1 |
| Open fairleads | 10 |
Archived price: £27.49
Fittings Pack 6 – SAN/6
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Aerial bases | 2 |
| W/T and bridge doors set | 1 |
| Hose reel and fire hydrant set | 1 |
| T.V. aerial | 1 |
| Rubber fenders | 12 |
Archived price: £19.89
Fittings Pack 7 – SAN/7
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Navigation lights | 2 |
| Mast/stern lights | 4 |
| Signal lamps | 2 |
| Bearing sights | 2 |
| 1006 radar | 1 |
| Klaxons | 2 |
| Ship’s bell | 1 |
| Met boxes | 2 |
| Compass | 1 |
| E.S.M. set | 1 |
Archived price: £24.47
Fittings Pack 8 – SAN/8
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Loudspeakers | 20 |
| Sweep lights | 20 |
| Bulkhead lights | 20 |
Archived price: £25.49
Fittings Pack 9 – SAN/9
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Half sheet of etched 45-degree ladders | 1 |
| Half sheet of etched 90-degree ladders | 1 |
Archived price: £15.00
Ordering and prices
| Product | Catalogue code | Archived price |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Sandown GRP hull | SAN/HL | £125.00 |
| Fittings Pack 1 | SAN/1 | £33.50 |
| Fittings Pack 2 | SAN/2 | £23.49 |
| Fittings Pack 3 | SAN/3 | £28.72 |
| Fittings Pack 4 | SAN/4 | £29.41 |
| Fittings Pack 5 | SAN/5 | £27.49 |
| Fittings Pack 6 | SAN/6 | £19.89 |
| Fittings Pack 7 | SAN/7 | £24.47 |
| Fittings Pack 8 | SAN/8 | £25.49 |
| Fittings Pack 9 | SAN/9 | £15.00 |
The prices shown are taken from the historical Sirmar Fittings catalogue and are provided for reference only. Please contact Sirmar Fittings for current prices, availability and ordering information.
The HMS Sandown hull and fittings packs provide model builders with the components needed to recreate the distinctive features of this Royal Navy minehunter, including its specialised minehunting equipment and deck fittings.
